Jake Paul has claimed KSI's team requested that he promotes his rival's upcoming YouTube showdown with Alex Wassabi.
YouTube star KSI - real name JJ Olatunji - will make his long anticipated return to the ring when he takes on fellow YouTube star Wassabi at London's O2 arena on August 27. Olatunji will fight for the first time since defeating bitter rival Paul's brother Logan in a high-profile rematch over two years ago.
Paul and Olatunji have been trading verbal barbs in the build-up to the fight with the American set to be present for the fight in the UK. In his most recent jibe aimed at the Briton, Paul has made a fresh claim about his rival's ring return, tweeting: "Out of respect for Alex I won’t expose you.
"But you know what’s going on. You know what you and your team have asked me to do to help sell your 'fight'. You need me to build your hype. I advise your opponent. Let that sink in."
Olatunji has yet to reply to Paul's claim but the pair jousted on Twitter earlier in the day as their rivalry continued to heat up. It is understood Paul will likely be ringside for the event after Olatunji's rival Wassabi signed to his promotional label Most Valuable Promotions.
Paul will first fight before his rival when he takes on natural boxer Hasim Rahman Jr in his sixth professional fight on August 6 at Madison Square Garden. A win for the pair would see them both edge closer to settling their rivalry, although Olatunji could accept one more tune-up fight before challenging his long-term rival.
The British star rekindled their war of words on social media today, wh ere he mocked Paul for the pay-per-view price of $59.99 in the US for his meeting with Rahman Jr. Paul quickly hit back, writing: "No s*** dummy. You have one 'win'. I have five. Coming off of KO of the year. You’re fighting an influencer. I’m fighting a 12-1 legitimate boxer. We are not the same. You shouldn’t charge more than $10."
Paul then added: "I made $45 million last year while you made weekly YouTube videos." Olatunji then fired back at his rival, tweeting: "No you still don’t get it. You didn’t care about the platform that made you who you are. Constantly denouncing it. I never did. I’m happy to say I’m a YouTuber to this day because now I can do/be whatever I want. I’m thinking long term my guy. You failed at this."
Olatunji has shown off an incredible shape as he looks to exact revenge on Wassabi, who outpointed his brother Deji earlier this year. The fight will be promoted by Olatunji's new promotion Misfits Boxing and will be screened live on DAZN around the world after he signed a new deal with the streaming service.
